NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association match to James Madison Wednesday night at Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium. The Blue Hens had multiple chances early in the match to score multiple times but were able to muster just one goal Wednesday.

SophomoreFede Prietostarted the scoring for the Blue Hens (5-5-2, 2-3-1 CAA) in the 18th minute when he headed home a perfect free kick off the foot of Thibault Philippe. The goal was Prieto’s fourth goal of the season.

JMU (5-5-3, 2-1-2 in CAA) tied the game in the 40th minute when a cross by Yannick Franz ended up in the back of the net off a deflection by UD defenderArno Masson-Viale.

The Hens and Dukes continued to battle deep into the second half, but James Madison ultimately scored the winner in the 86th minute when Tom Judge sent a 50-yard pass that found a streaking Brennen Burton. Burton calmly received the pass and eluded a charging Todd Morton, firing a shot that barely slipped into the left side of the net.

The loss was Delaware’s third consecutive defeat and dropped the Blue Hens into sixth place in the CAA with just two conference matches remaining. The Blue Hens return to action Tuesday night at UMBC. Kickoff from Baltimore is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“We changed things up tonight to give ourselves more opportunities to score goals. We scored tonight but I thought we had three or four golden opportunities to put this game to bed, and we didn’t. James Madison gained confidence, became more spirited from it and responded well. Credit to JMU. Then I thought we had control of the match toward the end until two bad decisions led to the winner. Overall, I’m disappointed for our guys. It was a critical game for us to win, and I think it was a game we should have and could have won. Now we have to go down to Charleston next weekend in a must-win situation if we want to qualify for the playoffs.”

On the teams six days between matches:

“With exams still going on, our guys need a rest. The legs are still heavy. It’s been a long season and we’ve been working very hard. The next week is about recovery and preparation for the most important game which is the Charleston game. It’s about giving ourselves the best opportunity to win down in Charleston next weekend.”

HEN SCRATCHINGS:

• Delaware falls to 2-3-2 at home this season, and to 1-2 in conference play. • The Blue Hens started the night in third place in the CAA, but have fallen to sixth place based on Wednesday’s results. • UD has lost three matches in a row for the first time since 2015 (Sept. 16-26). • Delaware is winless in its last four matches dating back to Sept. 27. • Prieto scored his 11th career goal tonight.